Care leavers are young people who have been looked after by the local authority, for some or all of their childhood, and have subsequently left the care system or are in the process of doing so.
Evidence shows that young people who have been in care do not have the same life chances as other young people. It is well known that many care leavers face serious disadvantage growing up and that this can affect their long-term futures.
We know that moving into independence and maintaining a tenancy is difficult and daunting which is why we work closely with Oxfordshire County Council's Looked After Children and Care Leavers teams to help plan long term housing options to provide stable and safe accommodation. We can meet with you and your Leaving Care Personal Advisor to help you know your options and help prepare you for independence.
If you are a care leaver, you can receive help from your Leaving Care Personal Advisor until you are 25. The level of support that you get depends on your age and what is provided in your area.
Young Person’s Supported Housing Pathway
Oxfordshire County Council commission a Young Person’s Supported Housing Pathway across Oxfordshire, which offers supported accommodation for care leavers between 16-24 years old.
If you are a single person with support needs, you can be referred to the Young Persons Housing Pathway either by your social worker or leaving care Personal Advisor.
If you would like further information please speak to your Leaving Care Personal Advisor.
General Housing Register
If you would like to rent affordable accommodation within Oxford you will need to apply for social housing.
Making a Homeless Application
If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, we may owe you some duties to help prevent or relieve your homelessness.
Visit our If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless pages for further advice or information on how to make a homeless application.
Finding a home to rent
The quickest solution to most housing issues is to secure accommodation in the Private Rented sector.
See Renting a home in the private sector.
Affordability
If you need assistance with paying your rent either via Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, it is important to be aware of the Local Housing Allowance rates when looking for accommodation. The Local Housing Allowance is the amount of benefits you will receive towards your rent.
The rates for our area are available at Local Housing Allowance Rates.
Rough Sleepers
If you are currently rough sleeping please contact OxSPOT by telephone on 01865 243229 or send an email to Outreach.Oxford@mungos.org.
For further information on what support is available for rough sleepers in Oxford visit the Oxford Homeless Movement website.
You can also Report concern about someone sleeping rough.
